GP leaders have warned that patients do not have enough information about electronic patient records and believe opting out is too difficult. Currently anyone who wants to opt out of having their data uploaded onto the national database must inform their GP, complete an online form or call a helpline.

Dr Grant Ingrams, RCGP/GPC joint IT committee chairman, said: 'While it has the potential to improve patient care, we are concerned at the speed because patients are unlikely to be aware of what they are automatically being enrolled into.'